A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Meiktila, a small city in central Myanmar on Sunday morning, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. This quake follows a massive 7.7 magnitude temblor that hit the country’s central region on March 28. The epicenter of the recent quake was located approximately halfway between Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and Naypyitaw, the capital, both of which experienced significant damage and casualties from last month’s earthquake.
Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of major damage or casualties from this latest quake, one of the strongest in a series of aftershocks stemming from the March 28 event. The death toll from the previous earthquake was 3,649, with 5,018 injured, according to Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for Myanmar’s military government.
The earthquake on Sunday occurred in the Wundwin township area, 97 kilometers (60 miles) south of Mandalay, at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles) according to Myanmar’s Meteorological Department. However, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated the depth at 7.7 kilometers (4.8 miles).
Residents of Wundwin reported that the quake was so strong that people rushed out of buildings, with some dwellings experiencing ceiling damage. A resident of Naypyitaw stated that they did not feel the quake. Those contacted preferred to remain anonymous out of fear of the military government, which tightly controls information.
The United Nations has warned that the damage caused by the March 28 earthquake will exacerbate the existing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where over 3 million people were already displaced due to civil conflict. The quake severely disrupted agricultural production and created a health emergency as many medical facilities in the affected area were either damaged or destroyed.
Sunday’s earthquake coincided with the beginning of Myanmar’s three-day Thingyan holiday, which marks the traditional New Year. Public celebrations for the holiday had already been canceled.
